Mobile gateway device for controlling building equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC control systems incur cost inefficiencies and delays due to communication through intermediate networks, such as MSTP, when users attempt to control building equipment via HVAC controllers.
Innovation Solution
A mobile gateway device that directly connects to the BACnet network, allowing users to control HVAC devices through a processing circuit and communication interface, bypassing intermediate networks by transmitting request action messages conforming to the BACnet protocol over an internet protocol network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication goes through intermediate networks (MSTP) and interface controllers, then device compatibility and control functionality are maintained, but communication delay increases and cost efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mobile gateway device from the traditional communication path, allowing it to directly connect to the BACnet network and bypass intermediate MSTP networks and interface controllers. This extraction eliminates unnecessary communication hops while maintaining BACnet protocol compatibility, thus reducing communication delay without sacrificing device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile gateway device serves as a new intermediary that directly interfaces with the BACnet network, replacing the chain of intermediaries (MSTP network + interface controller). This single intermediary approach maintains protocol translation functionality while streamlining the communication path and reducing overall delay.
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication goes through intermediate networks (MSTP) and interface controllers, then protocol translation and network compatibility are ensured, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes expensive intermediate interface controllers and MSTP network infrastructure by extracting the essential function of protocol translation and routing to the mobile gateway device. This eliminates redundant hardware components while maintaining BACnet network compatibility through software-based protocol handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile gateway device replicates the functionality of traditional interface controllers and MSTP networks through software implementation, using virtualization and emulation techniques to provide protocol translation and network routing capabilities without requiring expensive dedicated hardware infrastructure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional HVAC control architecture is used with multiple intermediate devices, then system stability and protocol compliance are maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and consolidates multiple intermediate communication devices into a single mobile gateway device, simplifying the communication architecture from a multi-component chain to a streamlined path. This reduction in component count directly lowers system complexity while maintaining stability through robust protocol implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile gateway device merges the functions of multiple intermediate devices (MSTP network, interface controllers, protocol translators) into a single integrated unit. This consolidation combines protocol translation, network routing, and device control functions into one device, reducing architectural complexity while maintaining system stability through unified management.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are related to a device, a method, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling building equipment. In one aspect, disclosed is a mobile gateway that receives a user input to change a status of a device of the building equipment. The mobile gateway device generates a request action message indicating the user input based on an application programming interface of the mobile gateway device. The request action message conforms to a building automation and control network (BACnet) protocol. The mobile gateway device transmits, through an interne protocol network, the request action message conforming to the BACnet protocol to a BACnet controller. The BACnet controller operates the device according to the request action message conforming to the BACnet protocol.